Motion transmitting apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle multi-functional apparatus

Abstract

A motion transmitting apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle multi-functional apparatus includes an electromagnetic device, a rotatable member, an interface surface, a shaft and an intermittent motion mechanism. Another aspect of the present invention provides rotation of the rotatable member within a first positional range to cause the interface surface to contact and move an arm of the intermittent motion mechanism from a first actuation position to a second actuation position. The arm subsequently moves past the actuation positions as to allow the interface surface to disengage the intermittent motion mechanism and continue rotating past the intermittent motion mechanism. The arm is thereafter biased back into a rotational path of the interface surface such that upon reversal of rotational direction of the rotatable member, the interface surface will reengage the arm and move the intermittent motion mechanism from the second actuation position to the first actuation position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising: an electromagnetic device;   a rotatable member rotating in response to selective energization of said electromagnetic device;   an interface surface being disposed on said rotatable member;   a shaft being rotatably coupled to said rotatable member, said shaft being limited to less than 360° of rotational movement; and   an intermittent motion mechanism having a mounting base and an arm;   rotation of said rotatable member within a first positional range causing said interface surface to contact and move said arm of said intermittent motion mechanism from a first actuation position to a second actuation position, said arm subsequently moving past said actuation positions so as to allow said interface surface to disengage said intermittent motion mechanism and continue rotating past said intermittent motion mechanism;   said arm being biased back into a rotational path of said interface surface such that upon reversal of rotational direction of said rotatable member, said interface surface will reengage said arm and move said intermittent motion mechanism from said second actuation position to said first actuation position.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first surface of said intermittent motion mechanism abutting against a second surface when said arm is moved past at least one of said actuation positions to a disengaging position, a spring serves to bias said arm from said disengaging position toward said actuation positions when said first and second surfaces abut against each other. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second surface is part of said spring, said spring is a leaf spring. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second surface is a projection depending from a substantially annular bushing disposed within said mounting base, said bushing rotates relative to said mounting base when said intermittent motion mechanism is moved between said at least one of said actuation positions and said disengaging position, said spring is attached to said bushing and said arm. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a window wiper arm being attached to said shaft; and   a panel lock having a latch moving in response to rotation of said intermittent motion mechanism between said actuation positions.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a second intermittent motion mechanism coupling said wiper shaft to said rotatable member, said rotatable member being defined as a gear, said electromagnetic device being defined as a direct current electric motor. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second intermittent motion mechanism selectively engaging with said interfacing surface of said rotatable member when said rotatable member is disposed in a second positional range. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an external edge of said arm providing an angled driven surface for contact against said interface surface, said mounting base rotating about a fixed pivot axis, a single arm extending in an elongated manner from said mounting base. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising: a member being selectively movable;   an interface surface being disposed on said member;   a first intermittent motion mechanism having a mounting base and an elongated arm;   movement of said member within a first positional range in a first direction causing said interface surface to contact and rotate said arm of said first intermittent motion mechanism from a first actuation position to a second actuation position, said arm subsequently moving past said actuation positions so as to allow said interface surface to disengage said first intermittent motion mechanism and continue rotating past said first intermittent motion mechanism; and   a second intermittent motion mechanism having a mounting base and an elongated arm;   movement of said member within a second positional range in said first direction causing said interface surface to contact and rotate said arm of said second intermittent motion mechanism from a first actuation position to a second actuation position, said arm subsequently moving past said actuation positions so as to allow said interface surface to disengage said second intermittent motion mechanism and continue rotating past said second intermittent motion mechanism;   said arms of said intermittent motion mechanisms being biased back into a rotational path of said interface surface such that upon reversal of rotational direction of said rotatable member, said interface surface will reengage said arms and move said intermittent motion mechanisms.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a first surface of each of said intermittent motion mechanisms abutting against a second surface when each of said arms are moved past at least one of said actuation positions to disengaging positions, a spring serving to bias each of said arms from said disengaging positions toward said actuation positions when said first and second surfaces abut. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a shaft rotating in response to movement of said member;   a window wiper arm being attached to said shaft; and   a panel lock having a latch moving in response to rotation of said first intermittent motion mechanism between said actuation positions.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an external edge of each of said arms providing an angled driven surface for contact against said interface surface, said mounting bases rotating about fixed pivot axes, a single arm extending in an elongated manner from each of said mounting bases. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a panel lock having a latch moving in response to rotation of said first intermittent motion mechanism between said actuation positions. 
     
     
       14. A method of operating a motion transmitting apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle, said method comprising: (a) selectively energizing an electromagnetic device;   (b) moving an interface surface from a first position to a second position in response to step (a);   (c) engaging an arm with said interface surface when said interface surface is in said first position;   (d) moving said arm from a locking position to an unlocking position concurrent with step (c);   (e) moving said arm to a disengaging position, past said unlocking position, concurrently with said interface surface moving past said second position;   (f) moving said interface surface from a third position to a fourth position;   (g) engaging and moving a second member concurrent with step (f);   (h) reversing the direction of movement of said interface surface;   (i) disengaging said interface surface from said second member in response to step (h);   (j) moving said interface surface from said second position to said first position subsequent to step (i);   (k) moving said arm from said unlocking position to said locking position concurrently with step (j); and   (l) biasing said arm between said disengaging position and said unlocking position.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of rotating said second member about a pivot in response to selective engagement with said interface surface for unlocking a window panel from a door. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of biasing said arm between a second disengaging position and said locking position. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of rotating a window wiper shaft concurrently with movement of said interfacing surface between a fifth position and a sixth position. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: (a) rotating said interface surface between said first, second, third and fourth positions;   (b) pivoting said arm about a fixed pivot axis; and   (c) pivoting said member about a fixed pivot axis distinct from a rotational axis of said interfacing surface and a pivot axis of said arm.